Peter Hall was also co-director, albeit a mostly absent one, with Alan Ayckbourn for the latter’s hit comedy play, Bedroom Farce, in which Michael Kitchen was one of the six original castmembers. In this marvelous video from the National Theatre Ayckbourn talks of rehearsing the play and how all the actors doubted their own abilities in the weeks leading up to the premiere:

By the time we got to Birmingham, the cast was suicidal…

I think every single one of them, including Joan Hickson, the great Joan Hickson, and Michael Kitchen – wonderful cast – they all came up to me and said, “I know I wasn’t the first choice*. Uh, but, uh, I want you to know that I’m- I’m rotten at comedy. I’ve never- I’ve never liked doing comedy. Uh, and uh, I was so sorry, I’m letting down your play, and uh, I’m rubbish.”

*Ralph Richardson and Peggy Ashcroft were on the original wish-list.

Hard to imagine that Michael Kitchen with his superb comic timing once thought he couldn’t do comedy. It hadn’t occurred to me that Bedroom Farce was indeed his first major foray into comedy. Thank goodness the Birmingham audience went barmy on opening night and Michael Kitchen went on to many more roles that showcased his comedic talents.

Like VIPs who have visited the White House this year, Jack Turner is the victim of an awkward handshake. Customary bowing, in my opinion, is preferable to shaking hands, especially when one must deal with a head of state whose hands have been grabbing the nether regions of untold women. For those with a bad back, though, I suppose a handshake is less taxing.

Hey, but I killed him.
It was an accident.
Well, he’s dead. I torture my wife, blindfolded.
He is dead. I did it. How good do you think it is?
Greg, would you lower your voice?
When they asked why, I would say “the least.” No, frankly, it is the tiredest thing I can do.
And that does not mean he’s dressed up. No.
In the luxury of his waxed car he fried a sharp and dirty bastard.

Hey, but I killed him.
It was an accident.
So, he’s dead. Bastard, bestowal on my wife, the thief blind me.
He’s dead, and I did it. How do you think how good?
Greg, would you keep your voice?
When they ask why, I will go, “This is the least” – no, frankly, it is very bloody at least I can do.
And not only did he deliver it. No.
Fried, dirty slurry fried in the luxury of his car.

I certainly hope Google Translate isn’t being used for any high-level discourse between the U.S. and North Korea. I wouldn’t put it past this administration.

The first season [of The Crown] had a much-reported budget of £100 million. To put that into perspective, it works out at about ten times more than the entire series — nine seasons — of my own Foyle’s War.